Frame member for electrical distribution cabinets

ABSTRACT

A frame member for electrical distribution cabinets, whose particularity consists of the fact that it has a substantially triangular transverse cross-section and that it has two ribs, which are arranged longitudinally along the extension of the frame member and are suitable to allow the engagement of a finishing element for finishing the frame member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical distribution cabinetsand in particular to a frame member for electrical distributioncabinets. More particularly, the invention relates to a frame memberthat is suitable for use both as a horizontal member and as a verticalmember for electrical distribution cabinets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As is known, electrical distribution cabinets are constituted bya frame formed by vertical and horizontal members and by panels thatform side walls, the rear wall, the top and the bottom of the cabinet.

[0003] Electrical distribution cabinets can have a door or not, and if adoor is provided, hinges must be arranged at the vertical frame membersso as to allow to fix said door.

[0004] In both cases, in electrical distribution cabinets with andwithout a door, the frame members must be finished so as to be able tooffer a pleasant aesthetic effect to the cabinet.

[0005] Essentially, it is necessary to add to each frame member externalfinishing elements, with difficulties in engagement with said framemember.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a frame member foran electrical distribution cabinet that allows to couple thereto memberfinishing elements, without adding any additional element to said framemember apart from the finishing element.

[0007] Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present inventionis to provide a frame member for electrical distribution cabinets thatcan be used both as a vertical member and as a horizontal member.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a framemember for electrical distribution cabinets whose transversecross-section helps to increase its rigidity.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a framemember for electrical distribution cabinets that is highly reliable,relatively simple to manufacture and at competitive costs.

[0010] This aim, these objects and others that will become betterapparent hereinafter are achieved by a frame member for electricaldistribution cabinets, whose particularity consists of the fact that ithas a substantially triangular transverse cross-section and that it hastwo ribs, which are arranged longitudinally along the extension of theframe member and are suitable to allow the engagement of a finishingelement for finishing said frame member.

[0011] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings and to the detailed descriptionhereinafter, in which preferred but non-limitative embodiments of thedifferential pressure transmitter according to the present invention areillustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame member according to thepresent invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view, taken from the opposite side withrespect to FIG. 1, of the frame member according to the presentinvention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the frame memberaccording to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the frame memberaccording to the invention, with the addition of a member finishingelement;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the frame memberaccording to the present invention, with a hinge for applying a doorassociated therewith;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view, similar to FIG. 5, with theaddition of a member finishing element;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of a pair of frame membersconnected by means of a hinge for the application of a door;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the frame member of FIG.7, with an element for finishing the pair of frame members coupledthereto;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pair of frame members shown inFIG. 7;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the frame member shown in FIG. 6;and

[0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the frame member shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] With reference to the figures cited above, the frame memberaccording to the present invention, generally designated by thereference numeral 1, comprises a substantially triangular profiledelement 2, which comprises two first portions 3 and 4 which are angledand are connected by means of a portion 5 that forms an obtuse anglewith the two angled portions 3 and 4. The triangular structure, intransverse cross-section, of the frame member 1 also comprises twoadditional portions 6 and 7, which constitute the remaining two sides ofthe triangle and protrude without discontinuities starting from the twoportions 3 and 4 respectively. The two portions 6 and 7 are mutuallyjoined for example by folding over the profiled element, as shown in theaccompanying figures, or can be welded at the vertex of the triangle byvirtue of any kind of welding. As an alternative, the profiled elementcan be closed at the portion 5 that lies opposite the vertex 8 of thetriangular cross-section of the profiled element.

[0025] In all of the cases described above, the structure of theprofiled element according to the invention has two ribs 9 and 10, whichare respectively arranged at the comers between the portions 6 and 3 andbetween the portions 7 and 4.

[0026] The ribs 8 and 9 perform a dual function: on the one hand, theyallow to stiffen the structure of the profiled element, since they arearranged longitudinally along the extension of said profiled element; onthe other hand, they allow to provide engagement means for a memberfinishing element, which is shown for example in FIG. 4 and isdesignated by the reference numeral 15.

[0027] The finishing element 15 is constituted by an arc-like portion,which is provided with curved ends 12 and 13 that are suitable to engagethe ribs 9 and 10 respectively, as shown for example in FIG. 4.

[0028] The ribs 9 and 10 are shown to have a substantially circularcross-section, in order to allow the engagement of the curved portions12 and 13 of the finishing element 15. However, the ribs may also havedifferent shapes and in this case the finishing element 15 is shapedaccordingly in order to engage said ribs.

[0029] The presence of the pair of ribs 9 and 10 therefore allows toengage the finishing elements 15 without having to resort to additionalelements to be associated with the profiled element, thus making itextremely quick to apply the finishing element and cheap to manufacturethe frame member according to the present invention.

[0030] Moreover, the frame member according to the present invention canbe provided with one or more hinges 16, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and9 to 11. Said hinges 16 allow to apply a door to the frame member so asto close the electrical distribution cabinet.

[0031] Even if the hinges are used, and if they are not to be used toengage a door, i.e., when the electrical distribution cabinet, despitehaving frame members that are preset for the engagement of a door, mustbe produced according to the door-less model, the finishing element 15can still be applied in order to engage the ribs 9 and 10, as shown forexample in FIG. 6.

[0032]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate two frame members according to thepresent invention, mutually associated by virtue of the hinge 16 and,FIG. 8, with the finishing element 15, which can be equally engaged tothe ribs 9 and 10 of two distinct associated frame members.

[0033] Conveniently, the finishing element 15 can be provided with apair of cusps 17 and 18, which are suitable to rest against the edges ofthe triangular cross-section of the frame member or, if a hinge 16 ispresent, against said hinge.

[0034] Clearly, the presence of cusps is absolutely not necessary forcorrect application of the finishing element 15, which requires, for itsfixing, only the presence of the ribs 9 and 10.

[0035] In practice it has been found that the frame member according tothe present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, sinceit can be produced with a particular transverse cross-section, which hastwo ribs which, in addition to stiffening said frame member, allow tocouple to said frame member a finishing element, if the frame member isto be used for electrical distribution cabinets without the door. Theframe member thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications andvariations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept;all the details may furthermore be any according to the requirements andthe state of the art.

We claim:
 1. A frame member for electrical distribution cabinets,wherein said frame member has a substantially triangular transversecross-section, said frame member having two ribs which are arrangedlongitudinally along the extension of the frame member and are suitableto allow the engagement of a finishing element for finishing said framemember.
 2. The frame member according to claim 1, wherein said framemember comprises a profiled member, said substantially triangulartransverse cross-section comprising a first portion and a second portionwhich are angled with respect to a central portion, a third portion anda fourth portion constituting the sides of the triangular shape, whichjoin at the vertex of the triangular shape.
 3. The frame memberaccording to claim 2, wherein said third and fourth portions thatmutually join at the vertex of the triangular shape are welded at saidvertex.
 4. The frame member according to claim 2, wherein said third andfourth portions that mutually join at the vertex of said triangularshape are mutually coupled by folding back said profiled member.
 5. Theframe member according to claim 2, wherein said third and fourthportions protrude without discontinuities from said first and secondangled portions.
 6. The frame member according to claim 2, characterizedin that said profiled element is welded at a central portion arrangedbetween said first and second angle portions.
 7. The frame memberaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said finishing element iscurved and its ends are also curved so as to engage at said ribs.
 8. Theframe member according to claim 1, characterized in that said ribs havea curved transverse cross-section.
 9. The frame member according claim2, characterized in that it comprises at least one hinge that issuitable to be coupled to said frame member, said hinge being shapedcomplementarily to the profile of said first and second angled portionsand being fixed to said frame member at a central portion arrangedbetween said first and second angled portions.
 10. The frame memberaccording to claim 9, characterized in that said finishing element isprovided with two cusps that allow to rest said finishing element on theedges of said triangular transverse cross-section of the frame member oron said hinge applied to said frame member.